The Brookhaven leader., 1887-05-26
TALMAGE'S SERMON.
A Discourse Upon Things Done
Under the Mantle of Night
The Dark Deeds that Are Continually BE-
ing Enacted In the Third watch In
the Great CItIes-Darkness and
Crime Hand In Hand.


Tabernacle on a hasty trip behind the
night scenes in the great cities, picturing
the crimes and poverty existing and the
many dangers and pitfalls to be Stunned.
His text was:
Waterman, what OF the night Isaiah xxi. II.
When night came down on Baby lon,
Ninevah and Jerusalem, they needed care
full watching, otherwise the lncendiary's
torch might have been thrust into the
very heart Of the metropolitan splendor
or enemies, marching from the hills, might
have forced the gates. All night long, on
top of the wall and in front of the gates
might be heard the measured step of the
Waterman on his solitary beat; silence
hung in the air, save as some passer-by
raised the question: "Watchman, what
Of the night!'
The ancients divided their night into
four parasitic first watch, from six to
nine; the second, from nine to twelve; the
third, from twelve 10 three; and the
fourth, from three to six.
speak now of the city in the third
watch, or from twelve to three o'clock.
Inever weary of looking upon the life
and brilliaucy of the city in the first
watch. That is the hour when the stores
are closing The laboring men, having
quilted the sCaffulding and the shop, are
bu IutlI " dN iOALt II Jb4C-S lllC W CIV Z
them my seat in the city car. They have
stood and hammered away all day Their
feet are weary. They arc exhausted
with the tug of work. They are most
cheerful. With appetites sharpencd on
the swift turner's wheel and the Carpen-
ter's milestone, they seek the evening
meal. The clerks, too, have broken iaway
from the counter. and with brain weary
Of be long line of figures and the whims
II those who so a-shOpping, seek the face
of mother or wife and child. The mer-
chants are embarrassing themselves
from their anxietics on their way up the
street. The boys that lock up are heav-
ing away at the shutters, showing the
heavy bolts and taking last look at the
fire to see that all is safe. The streets
are thronCcd with young men, setting
out from the great centers of bargain
making.
Let idlers clear the street, and give
right Of way to the besweated artisans
and merchants! They have earned their
bread and are now on their way homo to
get it.
The lights in full jet hang over 10000
evening repasts-the parents at either
end of the table, the children between.
Thank God, "who sctteth the solitary in
families"
~ IL" hNdIS ldJtis dlld an THO pldNCS Va
amusement, good and bad, are in full tide.
Lovers of art catalogue in hand, stroll
through galleries and discuss the pict-
ures. The ballroom is respendent with
the rich apparel of those who, on either
side Of the white, glistening boards,
await the signal from the orchestra. The
footlights of the theater flash up; the bell
rings, and the curtain rises and out from
the gorgeous scenery glide the actors,
greeted with the vociferation of the
expectant multitudes. Concert halls
are lifted into enchantment with
the MARBLE of one songstress, or swept
out on sea Of tumultuous feeling by the
blast of brazen instruments. Drawing
rooms are filled with all gracefulness Of
apparel, with allsweetness of sound, with
all splendor of manner; mirrors are
catching up and multiplying the scene,
until it seems as if in infinite corridors
there were garlandcd groups advancing
and retreating
The outdoor air rings with laughter,
and with the moving to and fro of thou
sands on the great promenades, The
dashing span adrip with the foam of the
long country ride, rushes past as you halt
at the curbstOne.
Nirth, revelry, beauty fashion, magnif-
lcence mingle in the great metropolitan
picture uHLll Inc luluhlu9 man OGS uOIlS
to think more seriously, and the praying
man to pray more earnestly.
A beautiful and overwhelming thing is
the city in the first and second watches of
the night.
But the clock strikes twelve and the
third watch has begun.
There are honest men passing up and
down the street Here IS city mission
airy who has been carrying scuttle Of
coal to that poor family in that dark
place. Here is an undertaken going up
the steps Of building from which comes
a bitter cry which indicates that the
destroying angel has smitten the first
born. Here is minister of religion who
has been giving the sacrament to dying
Christian. Here is n physician passing
along in great haste, the messenger a few
STEPS ahead hurrying on to The household.
Nearly all the lights have gone outln the
dwellings,, for it is the third watch of the
night. That light in the window is the
light of the watcher, for the medicines
must be administered, and the fever must
be watched, and the. restless tossing off
of the covelid must be resisted, and the
ice must be kept on hot temples, and the
perpetual prayer must go up from hearts
soon TO be broken.
Oh, the third watch of the night What
stupendous thOught-a whole city at
rest.
Weary arm preparing for to-morrow's
toll. Hot brain being cooled off. Rigid
muscles relaxed. Excited nerves soothed
The white hair of the octogenarian in thin
drifts across the pillow, fresh fan of
flakes on snow already fallen. Childhood
with its dimpled hands thrown out on the
pillow and with every breath taking in
new store of fun and frolc Third watch
of the night Gods slumberless eye will
look. Let one great wave of refreshing
slumber roll oyer the heart of great
town, submerging care, and anxiety, and
worrlment and pain.
Let the city sleep. But, my friends, be
not deceived. There will be thousands
tonight who will not sleep al all. Go up
that dark alley, and be cautious where
you tread, lest you fall over the PROSTATE
form of drunkard lying on his own door
step. Look about you, lest you feel the
garroter's hug. Look through the broken
window pane, and see what you can see.
You say: Nothing" Then listen. What
is it! God help usr' No footlights, but
tragedy ghastlier and mightier than Ris-
tori or Edwin Booth ever enacted. No
light, no fire, no bread, no hope SILVER
ing IN the cold they have had no food for
twenty-four hours. You say: "Why dom:
they begi" They do, but they get moth
ing You say: "Why don't they deliver
themselves over TO the almshOuse2" Ali
ut II hat y baa